Newcastle legend would pick me to sort out Giggs and Co says Stoke City favourite

Andy Griffin in his pomp against Ryan Giggs in the 1999 FA Cup Final at Wembley (Image: Getty)

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Andy Griffin fondly remembers the times Sir Bobby Robson would recall him to Newcastle’s star-studded line up to do a job on some of the biggest names in the game.

Griffin, who joined Newcastle from Stoke City in 1998, prided himself on his purely defensive abilities and it was those to which Sir Bobby would frequently turn.

He fondly remembers: “Sir Bobby Robson brought me in to do jobs on certain players because I was quick, tenacious and loved to tackle. I suppose I was an out-and-out defender.

“I loved the ugly side of the game and the physicality of it, that’s what I was all about.

“I remember being brought in for games against the likes of David Ginola, who I had a few battles with. Harry Kewell was another, then there was probably the greatest Premier League player of all in Ryan Giggs.

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“I also remember him once playing me in central midfield in one Champions League game . It was Juventus away and I was up against Pavel Nedved. I don’t think I’ve ever run so much... and I never touched the ball!”

He retains understandably fond memories of his six-and-a-half years on Tyneside under the legend that was Sir Bobby Robson.

“I’ve got a picture at home of the team and it was the perfect balance between youth and experience.

“There was experience in the shape of Shearer, Given and Speed. Then there were the younger lads bringing bags and bags of energy to the team and no sense of fear.